Arran Corbetts day 2 – Cir Mhor & Goatfell

 | Overview

Technical Rating

Challenging  

Exposed scrambling, head for heights required, rough terrain.

Endurance Rating

4  

Sustained steep ascents and descents, stamina and perseverance essential to cover long distances. Have you recently walked up (and down) a mountain of over 1000m (3000ft) in height within 8 hours without physical distress! Are you generally fitter than the majority of your peers? If your answer is "No", we'd guess you'd be happier doing a walk rated a level lower than the one you’ve just read! As noted previously, we're into FUN so we don't want you to miss out by overdoing it.

 | Photo Gallery

 | Walk description

The day starts with a long gentle approach along the length of Glen Sannox, with the first objective of the day, Cir Mhor, dominating the head of the Glen. From here a steep ascent leads to Coire na h-Uaimh under the forbidding north face of Cir Mhor with Caisteal Abhail, the first Corbett of day 1 of the Arran Corbett Challenge opposite. Climbing the headwall of the coire leads to Hunters Ridge and impressive views across the west of Arran. The ridge is then followed to the summit of Cir Mhor, the smallest, but arguably most impressive of Arran’s four Corbetts.

After this, a steep descent to The Saddle follows. Here the ground falls away into Glen Rosa in the south and Glen Sannox in the north. Both are spectacular examples of glaciated glens, whose perfect u-shapes can be admired from The Saddle which separates the two glens, and also forms the col between North Goatfell and Cir Mhor. Rather than taking the easy way home down into Glen Rosa, our second Corbett of the day beckons up the sharp ridge leading to North Goatfell. A traverse of the Stacach ridge follows, with its jumble of granite tors by-passed en-route to the final Corbett, Goatfell itself. Enjoy the elevating feeling of standing on the highest point of the island as well as stunning 360° views of Arran and beyond. From here the main ‘tourist’ path is joined as far as the Meall Breac ridge which is followed to the final descent alongside the tumbling Corrie Burn.

Route Profile

 | Advised Kit List